Due to design,only one camshaft and lifters are supplied with oil per side. The other cam and lifters are fed by these plastic transfer tubes. They are junk. The plug blows out of them and ...instant valve tap. When changine them, replace with early model tubes. They are aluminum.....
SL500 Engine Noise Question
I've been shopping for an SL500 lately (1999-2002), and all the cars I have looked at(around 10) seem to have an excessive amount of valvetrain noise, even v-8's with very low mileage...lots of ticking and tapping at idle from each valve cover, almost sounds like some bad lifters. are these engines known to be normally noisy like this, with the overhead cam? I'm ready to purchase a '02 i've got my eye on, but a little hesitant for this reason. any advice will greatly help!
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Hi, just found this site and would like to comment, and ask a question at the same time. I own a 95 SL500(purchased used with 38K) that I only drive weekends etc. Car now has 43K miles and last year the lifters got so bad MB replaced them. Recently I have noticed a similar noise developing, especially on "cold" starts, that eventually lessons after vehicle warms up. I asked another owner who claimed "that is very typical for these cars, they make a racket when cold" I would like to believe that a car as great as this would not be plagued by such a problem. I ask for advise - but I am afraid I will have to call my MB service rep again and pray the problem isn't too expensive.
Here is a good article regarding the subject:GreatBenz - 10/16/2005 12:55 AM
Hi, just found this site and would like to comment, and ask a question at the same time. I own a 95 SL500(purchased used with 38K) that I only drive weekends etc. Car now has 43K miles and last year the lifters got so bad MB replaced them. Recently I have noticed a similar noise developing, especially on "cold" starts, that eventually lessons after vehicle warms up. I asked another owner who claimed "that is very typical for these cars, they make a racket when cold" I would like to believe that a car as great as this would not be plagued by such a problem. I ask for advise - but I am afraid I will have to call my MB service rep again and pray the problem isn't too expensive.
http://www.baxnet.net/merc/oilguides/story.htm
Erik
the 500SL V8 can be noisy. it is the oil tubes, as mentioned above, not feeding the lifters with oil on start-up. It can get very noisy. My 1977 350SL V8 did the same thing, so Mercedes have taken their time to fix this problem. Changing the oil regulary is a must with this engine and can help with this noise also.
Comment to the seller how bad the engine sounds and how it will cost you a fortune to fix, then buy it anyway at a beaten down price and change the oil
]
Comment to the seller how bad the engine sounds and how it will cost you a fortune to fix, then buy it anyway at a beaten down price and change the oil![
]
I read the "repair" info you attached and believe this could be the fix I need. After searching the web I have been unable however to find anyplace to purchase the older type (aluminum) oil guides that are mentioned in this thread. OR am I mistaken and the repair shows a replacement with just new PLASTIC cam oil line fittings? Also where to purchase the plastic chain guide(s) and washers? I plan to contact my MB service Rep and argue(I am sure unsuccessfully) that they fix, or share in the fix of this problem. While I expect to fail in that quest, I may want to try to fix this myself IF I can locate the necessary parts inc. gaskets etc. Thanks again for your help[8D]
Okay, I am sure my problem is the plastic oil line tubes. Where can I locate the "older" aluminum fittings, and what is the potential for bigger problem(s) if I install them? MB moved to the plastic tubes "to provide pressure relief???" or is there a better reason to just stay with the weak plastic units? I really don't want to replace these every time an end cap lets go... Thanks for your help[8D]
Hi,
I think you're all getting confused. A 99 - '02 R129 has the M113 V8 and not the M119 which has these lifter problems. The noise is common to all M113 engines - the magnetic clutch on the aircon is responsible for most of it - then the coil packs for the 16 spark plugs as there are no distributors on this engine.
I think you're all getting confused. A 99 - '02 R129 has the M113 V8 and not the M119 which has these lifter problems. The noise is common to all M113 engines - the magnetic clutch on the aircon is responsible for most of it - then the coil packs for the 16 spark plugs as there are no distributors on this engine.
Well, I got my 95SL back from the dealer after 3 days in their shop. Since they replaced the lifters last Dec, all work was under waranty and they replaced the lifters AGAIN. They did an inspection, I was actually overdue (don't drive every day...) and they gave me a loaner for the 3 days. Car runs quiet and smooth. Total cost - $37 for the inspection. Quite frankly I was shocked but happy my wallet wasn't drained.[]
]Change oil at 3000 and use synthetic or semi...
It's imperative..you'll never hear a noise again..
It's imperative..you'll never hear a noise again..
Hello again. Hello again to the "lifter/oil tube/whatever" noise. This is unbelievable - the noise is back, the dealer NOW says it must be something else (I am sure they don't want to do any more work for free) and suggest it is a "deep engine sound." I know I was born at night but - not last night. I just can't seem to find another local mechanic to look at this. My "other" car mechanic will not work on MBs. Any one know of a mechanic in Suffolk County Long Island, NY - they trust??? Thanks [ The noise that keeps on ticking ]
Rather than continuing to replace the actual lifters, have you tried replacing the oil tubes?
First of all, the question was about a 99-02 model year 129 with the 113 engine, to address this question first, NO, they are not noisy engines (you could be hearing the fuel injectors} The ONLY complaints that I hear about(Noise) is with the older 119 engines. The oil tubes to the valve train fail and "NOISEY LIFTERS" is the result. Hope this helps.
1999's Ticking; Will This Damage Engine (or lifters) ?
I've had plenty of older, american V8s that had this issue, so am sure its the oil tubes.
Should you not drive the car now or is it Ok to drive ???
I've had plenty of older, american V8s that had this issue, so am sure its the oil tubes.
Should you not drive the car now or is it Ok to drive ???
Do the M113's have oil tubes? I'm not sure.My 1999 just began with a slight ticking under the hood. I've had plenty of older, american V8s that had this issue, so am sure its the oil tubes ( unless the 1999 engine, being different than previous years, doesn't have this issue ).
Its not loud, but is there.
Should I not drive the car now or is it Ok to drive ???
In any event, hate to sound dumb, but have you checked your oil level? When's the last time you had it changed?
Well, nobody knows.
try the engine flush first, then replace the Oil Tubes, if you've got an oil change coming (no WRENCH yet).
try the engine flush first, then replace the Oil Tubes, if you've got an oil change coming (no WRENCH yet).
My I've had plenty of older, american V8s that had this issue, so am sure its the oil tubes .
Should you not drive the car now or is it Ok to drive ???
Tappet/Lash adjusters - noise noise noise
My '98 had a sudden SINGLE tappet noise one morning but it went away after a few minutes of driving. I pulled both valve covers and felt (and probed) all the plastic oiler tubes. All were good.
(I had reserved a set of metal tubes but decided to not order them because the plastic tubes were fine and I didn't want to get into replacement of the other parts that break. I used the old gaskets and had to replace only one rubber tube that had turned to glass.)
I then decided that with 110,000 miles it might be good to try a heavier oil, so I changed to Mobil 1 15W50. Now ALL valves make noise when cold but the noise almost completely goes away when warm.
I hate to blame the oil but maybe that's it. (I did change the filter, by the way, factory/OEM filter)
Is there any theory that would blame the heavy oil?
I apologize for posting here because there is another thread that has some prior experience with this '98 SL500.
I've discussed this before but have been off this blog for a while and can't find prior posts.Due to design,only one camshaft and lifters are supplied with oil per side. The other cam and lifters are fed by these plastic transfer tubes. They are junk. The plug blows out of them and ...instant valve tap. When changine them, replace with early model tubes. They are aluminum.....
My '98 had a sudden SINGLE tappet noise one morning but it went away after a few minutes of driving. I pulled both valve covers and felt (and probed) all the plastic oiler tubes. All were good.
(I had reserved a set of metal tubes but decided to not order them because the plastic tubes were fine and I didn't want to get into replacement of the other parts that break. I used the old gaskets and had to replace only one rubber tube that had turned to glass.)
I then decided that with 110,000 miles it might be good to try a heavier oil, so I changed to Mobil 1 15W50. Now ALL valves make noise when cold but the noise almost completely goes away when warm.
I hate to blame the oil but maybe that's it. (I did change the filter, by the way, factory/OEM filter)
Is there any theory that would blame the heavy oil?
I apologize for posting here because there is another thread that has some prior experience with this '98 SL500.
Big mistake using that heavy oil:eek
The oil tubes were originally designed to pop the ball bearing when owners failed to change engine oil and filters on time (and used heavy oils).
But still a good idea to change to aluminium oil tubes and use Mobii 1 synthetic 0W40.
The above refers to the M119 4 cam engine only - the M113 does not use oil tubes.
The oil tubes were originally designed to pop the ball bearing when owners failed to change engine oil and filters on time (and used heavy oils).
But still a good idea to change to aluminium oil tubes and use Mobii 1 synthetic 0W40.
The above refers to the M119 4 cam engine only - the M113 does not use oil tubes.
0W40 isn't even on the MB approved oil list for theM119. 15W40 or 15W50 is the recomended oil for temps above 32F.Big mistake using that heavy oil:eek
The oil tubes were originally designed to pop the ball bearing when owners failed to change engine oil and filters on time (and used heavy oils).
But still a good idea to change to aluminium oil tubes and use Mobii 1 synthetic 0W40.
The above refers to the M119 4 cam engine only - the M113 does not use oil tubes.
this engine was designed in the late 80's and designed around the oils then available. Follow what they recomend.
And FWIW I have two M119's, one has 165K, the other 95K, both with the plastic oil tubes. all their life they had 15W-50 oil. Do they have any noise or indications of oil tube failure? NADA, quite as a church mouse.
My indy has a plastic oil tube M119, over 200K, no ticking, same 15W50 oil all it's life
the only ticking is the purge valve when you start the engine.
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